Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a federal court rejected ex-Montgomery police chief Ernest Finley’s claims
Also, don't miss Back to Ballet Open House at Tutu School! Featuring a special guest! on the Montgomery Patch calendar
Greetings Montgomery! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a federal court rejected ex-Montgomery police chief Ernest Finley's claims
- How Montgomery's new AA credit rating could shape a $375M bond
- What Jackson Hospital's bankruptcy deal means for Montgomery patients
Also on today's calendar: Back to Ballet Open House at Tutu School! Featuring a special guest! and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Montgomery Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Montgomery Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Montgomery. 
- Tuesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 98 and low of 75 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 100, low: 73.
- Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 97 and low of 75 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Federal appeals court rules against former Montgomery Police chief Ernest Finley (1819news.com) — A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of former Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley's lawsuit, siding with the City of Montgomery and Alabama Ethics Commission officials. Judges found Finley failed to show evidence of conspiracy or fabricated evidence related to an ethics investigation into alleged misuse of public resources within the Montgomery Police Department. 
2. Mayor: New credit rating more proof Montgomery can handle $375M bond (wsfa.com) — Montgomery's strong new AA credit rating from S&P is bolstering Mayor Steven Reed's push for a $375 million "Momentum 2040" bond aimed at neighborhood and infrastructure investments. While supporters say the rating proves the city can afford it, some residents still want clearer details on how the borrowing will improve everyday quality of life and core services.
3. Jackson Hospital to Remain Open, Emerge From Bankruptcy (wiregrassdailynews.com) — Jackson Hospital will stay open in Montgomery after reaching an agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and securing access to $40 million in state-approved capital funding. State leaders say the deal lets the hospital emerge from bankruptcy and continue providing crucial emergency and medical services to Montgomery and the wider River Region.
4. Former Kilby Prison officer sentenced in contraband case (waka.com) — A case tied to Kilby Correctional Facility near Montgomery ended with former officer Mario Grant receiving a 10-year split sentence for bringing drugs and a phone into the prison. His wife previously received probation, and the inmate accused of paying for the contraband still faces a pending criminal case, underscoring ongoing scrutiny of Alabama's prison system.
5. From Visibility to Sanctuary, Prattville Pride Organizers' New Steps for Safety and Acceptance for LGBTQ Alabamians (glaad.org) — Montgomery readers will see a familiar face taking the helm at The Sanctuary in Cottage Hill, as local native Caryl Lawson shifts her LGBTQ advocacy from Prattville Pride to this longtime arts and community hub. The story traces why Prattville Pride dissolved, how Fountain City Pride hopes to continue that work, and how Lawson plans to keep creating safe, inclusive spaces for queer residents across the River Region.
📸 Around Montgomery
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Montgomery
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- GW Campus Herff Jones Visit - Class Rings Orders
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
10:30 am - Cross Country @ MA
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
4:30 pm - V VB vs Enterprise/Trinity
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
4:30 pm - GW Campus Herff Jones Visit - Class Rings Orders
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
10:30 am - Football @ Enterprise
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
7:00 pm - MS Football Marbury Jamboree
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064 - V VB @ PCA Tourn
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064 - Back to Ballet Open House at Tutu School! Featuring a special guest! →
Tutu School Montgomery, 2960G Zelda Rd, Montgomery
1:00 pm - GW Campus Student Picture Day
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
📣 Montgomery Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Board of Education Meeting
Tallassee City Tallassee, AL 36078
6:00 pm - GW Campus Herff Jones Visit - Class Rings Orders
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
10:30 am - HLA Meeting, Montgomery AL →
Montgomery Country Club, 3001 Narrow Lane Rd, Montgomery
12:00 pm - Cross Country @ MA
Pike Road City Pike Road, AL 36064
4:30 pm
Tuesday August 18
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I took my two grandsons to the Gayle Planetarium in Oak Park yesterday.
We had a great time! They run a show aimed at families with younger children and a show with more detailed science for older kids and adults. We… (Nextdoor Sturbridge) - A website is allowing drivers to see if Flock surveillance cameras have searched for their vehicle.
HaveIBeenFlocked allows users to type their license plate number into a search bar to run through a series of "audit logs" within the Flock system,… (Nextdoor Capitol Heights)
- Oracle posted a job opening for Principal Delivery Manager - Low Voltage - Saline Township, MI in Montgomery. Apply here.
- US Foods posted a job opening for Routing Manager in Montgomery. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Montgomery here.
Ok Montgomery! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.